§ Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement respecting the reorganisation 636W of the Kenya Government as outlined in Sessional Paper No. 3; and whether it is now proposed to reconsider this so as to ensure a larger share of administration by Africans.
§ Mr. George HallThe reorganisation is not a constitutional change, but is designed to modernise and increase the efficiency of the Government machine, with particular reference to the execution of the development programme and the co-ordination of the work of the Departments dealing with agriculture, animal husbandry and natural resources. The scheme was approved by my predecessor and has been passed by the Kenya Legislative Council; and it is now in process of being put into effect. I am placing a copy of Sessional Paper No. 3 in the Library of the House.
With regard to the second part of the Question, I am anxious to see Africans play their part in the administration to the full extent that they are qualified to do so, and I know that the Governor of Kenya is entirely of the same opinion. The Sessional Paper states that Africans will be represented both on the Central Board of Agriculture and on provincial and district bodies, while the Chief Native Commissioner, who is in the closest touch with African opinion, will be a co-opted member of Development Authority.